AN ADVENTURE WITH NED KELLY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2191, 24 July 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN ADVENTURE WITH NED KELLY.

A German nobleman, Count AurepElmpt, details the following adventure in a recent account of his travels through Australia. He was riding from Wodonga to Melbourne when 4< Two men mounted on strong, wiry horses, rode out' of the busb, and accosting mb with Hullo ! old man,' motioned me to stop. One of them was a g-ood-looking, broad-shouldered fellow, with a short-cut beard, and clothed in the regulation contume of the country, namely, a coloured flannel jumper of the best quality, corduroy troutera, .partially covered by an excellent pair of high boots, and a strong leather belt, into which two bright revolvers were thrust. On his head was the felt hat worn in all weathers. There were pistols also in the holsters of the saddle. His companion was taller, more carelessly dressed, and with a hollower countenance, showing indications of mental anxiety. At first I took them for troopers, on account of the similarity of their accoutrements. The friendly manner of the man who addressed me disarmed suspicion, and I stopped. Approaching me, they asked me a number of questions in a curt military manner, where I bad come from, whither I was going, and what I had heard and seen in Albury and Wodonga. They appeared satisfied with my answers, and the second said, with a pleasant smile and in a cheerful voice, ' Well, old man, come and have some lunch.' I followed them into the bush, where in a little clearing, surrounded by thick scrub, a small fire was * burning near a creek. I enjoyed some capital whisky, first-rate salt meal, bread and butter, and tea out of a pannikin. During the meal they asked me some more questions, principally concerning the police, and whether I had heard anything about the Kelly gang. When my hunger had been appeased, they accompanied me back to the road, and on reaching it the shorter of the two said, 'You'd be afraid to meet the Kellys iv the bush, wouldn't you P" 'No,' I replied, 'for I have nothing valuable about me, and besides, it seems to me they only rob banks, shoot policemen, and don't interfere with travellers.' ' Right you are,' said he with some strong expletives. • They are not so bloodthirsty as people make them out to be. lam Ned Kelly ; and I tell you we are only seeking 1 revenge for bloodshed.' Wishing- me good bye ho rejoined his brother Dan, who after having carefully extinguished the fire and effaced all trace of it, had remounted his horse."

At the Tea Taklk.— Phasecius— ' My dear, I have a suggestion to offer.' Layinia — ' Well, what is it, pray ?' Phasecius— 'It is that we have these biscuits adorned with painted decoration *■ of Japanese de»ign, apply for a copyright and get some wholesale stationer down town to introduce them to the trade as Mikado paper weights. What do you aay V But she was silent,